Reflection on Miry's List

Earlier this year on April 9, 2019, Miry Whitehill, the founder and executive director of Miry’s List, presented “Welcome, Neighbor: An immersive learning experience in support of families resettling in California as refugees.” Whitehill discussed the current governmental systems that are in place to serve refugees including many startling and disturbing facts about the process as well as her own experience working with refugees. Her organization Miry’s List mainly serves Syrian refugees, many who have had to wait as long as 5 years to arrive in the United States through of only 9 resettlement agencies within the country. The wait time varies from country to country and the situation that each is in. In some places like Africa, the wait can be over 10 years before refugee status is granted. Whitehill also stressed the impact that citizens and the surrounding people have on people experiencing resettlement. Careful with her word choice and diction, Whitehill explained the difference between the impact of calling a person a “refugee” and a “person experiencing resettlement.” A “refugee” narrows a person’s view and sums up their trauma as their entire experience and life, whereas, a “person experiencing resettlement” looks at the big picture and recognizes that resettlement is only a small piece in that person’s life. Whitehill stressed the importance that our actions as students and citizens have on other people. She shares that one of the greatest tools at our disposal is language, as we have the ability to empower others or limit their experience and ability to continue forward. Whitehill also shared her own personal experiences that she has had with through Miry’s List. She revealed that small problems like being unable to find a grocery store can be all that is needed to cause mental breakdowns in times of so much stress and anxiety. Being able to learn so much more about an issue that affects so many people in the world was an extremely eye-opening experience. It was a privilege to be able to hear from Miry Whitehill and learn about ways that we as people can help others.